In the afternoon, Yang Sichen brought Yanhong and Liu Lan to Baocui Alley in the east of the city.
This street was filled with jewelry, jade, antiques, calligraphy, and paintings. Therefore, unlike other places where tall buildings stood, the two-foot-wide bluestone street was lined with ancient tree walls that were as thick as a person's arms. A wide black door could be seen within three to five steps. Some were carved into lotus-shaped doorplates from bluestone, with the words "Jufang Zhai" carved on them. Or erect a piece of Taihu Stone in front of the door with the words "Treasure Pavilion"; Or use the Lingbi stone of the sky to stick a "Qingwan" seal on the door as a sign. There were almost no pedestrians on the street.
"Golden Treasure House?" Yang Sichen looked up at the huge signboard and led the two servant girls into the shop.
Unlike the jewelry stores of the later generations, Jinyuzhai did not have a row of glass counters as soon as they entered the store, nor was it like the high iron fences of the pawnshops and money houses of this era. Inside it was a very large shop with more than ten small eight square tables, which was a bit like a teahouse.
There were quite a number of customers in the shop, and more than half of the seats were occupied. Basically, they were all here to look at jewelry. There was a clerk waiting at each table, and Yang Sichen noticed an interesting pattern: If it was a single male customer, there would definitely be a beautiful female shop assistant next to him. If it was a female customer, like Yang Sichen, the person accompanying him would definitely be a handsome male shop assistant. If the customers were a man and a woman, the male staff would serve them. It seemed that the owner of this shop knew a lot about customer psychology.
Yang Sichen sat down at a table near the inner side. Two middle-aged men sat at the table diagonally opposite him, accompanied by a tanned and fat female shop assistant. Although she didn't look very good, she was very knowledgeable about jade. She was explaining to the customers how to identify jade.
Yang Sichen asked Liu Lan to take out the wax mold from the box and carefully handed it to the handsome boy. He asked,""Little brother, help me take a look. This is the wax mold I just made today. Can your shop use this wax mold to make a silver thing?”
The handsome young man took the wax mold in surprise and looked at it. He returned it to Yanhong and said,"Miss, I don't know the specific process, and it's not easy for me to answer. Why don't you take a seat for a moment, Miss?”
Yang Sichen smiled and nodded without saying anything. When the handsome boy saw this, he did not dare to delay and quickly left to the inner room.
After the time it took for half an incense stick to burn, the handsome young man brought a shopkeeper over. The shopkeeper cupped his fists and bowed to Yang Sichen, saying,""Greetings, miss. My surname is Pang, and I am the shopkeeper of this Golden Treasure House.”
Then, he picked up the wax model and examined it carefully. After a while, he returned the wax model to Yanhong and said,"Miss, this store doesn't have a professional blacksmith, so this store can't do anything about the thing you want to forge.”
Yang Sichen thought to himself,'Rather than running around like a headless fly, it's better to figure out the situation here before going.' So he nodded and said with a smile,"Please go ahead, shopkeeper."”
Shopkeeper Pang immediately turned his head and quietly gave a few instructions to the handsome young man. The handsome young man quickly went to the inner room and soon returned with a box. Shopkeeper Pang smiled and opened the box, handing it to Yang Sichen.
Inside the box was a set of exquisite silver jewelry with gold inlaid gems. Hairpins, hairpins, earrings, necklaces, gold bracelets, etc., a set of a total of ten. The one-colored thousand leaves were inlaid with gemstones and gold peonies. The thin golden threads cleverly formed a graceful and generous peony. There was also a rice-sized ruby inlaid at the center of the flower. Yang Sichen could tell at a glance that this was no ordinary item.
Yang Sichen knew that it was a set of local jewelry from Songjiang Prefecture. Song Jiang's jewelry was very famous throughout the Ming Dynasty. Using the precious items brought from overseas trade, such as gold, gemstones, jade, pearls, tortoiseshell, coral, and so on, the skilled craftsmen of Songjiang Prefecture could turn them into pieces of exquisite jewelry. The price naturally increased by more than ten times.
Yang Sichen closed the box and placed it on the table. He casually turned his head to glance at the two servant girls, only to find that there was a hint of reluctance in his red eyes. He thought, Could it be that Yanhong likes this thing? However, this set of bright red jewelry was indeed very suitable.
Yang Sichen opened the box again and weighed the weight of the jewelry in his hand. Forget it, forget it. As long as it doesn't exceed fifteen taels of silver, I'll buy it and add to Yanhong's dowry in the future. So she said," This set of jewelry suits my eyes. Please tell me the price. If I can accept it, I'll buy it."”
Shopkeeper Pang's eyes lit up and he said with a smile,""This set of jewelry was originally custom-made by the second miss of the Dangkou General's estate in this small shop. At that time, they agreed to transfer fifteen taels of silver to complete the transaction, but that second miss didn't wait for this set of jewelry to be completed before she married off to Marquis Xiangping's estate in the capital, so this set of jewelry has always been stored in this small shop. Since this set of jewelry is to Miss's liking, then I'll make the decision to sell it to Miss at a 20% discount.”
Yang Sichen covered his mouth and laughed." Since you've said so, I'll buy it." However, I still want to ask, which shop in Song Jiang City can make my jewelry?”
Shopkeeper Pang hesitated for a moment before saying,""In Song Jiang City, only Wan Bao Zhai can make this thing. Wan Bao Zhai is on Jixiang Street, about three miles away from the small shop. However, Wan Bao Zhai was a century-old shop, so the price was not cheap.”
Yang Sichen nodded and stood up. He straightened his back and crossed his arms before his waist. He bowed slightly and bid farewell to Shopkeeper Pang. Then, he ordered,"Flowing Mist, go to the Thousand Treasures House!"”
Liu Lan nodded and led Yang Sichen into the carriage.
…………
After the time for two incense sticks to burn, Yang Sichen felt the carriage gradually slow down. He guessed that it might be the arrival of the Wan Bao House, so he lifted the curtain and saw the main entrance of the Wan Bao House. There were only a few warm palanquins or carriages parked in front of Wan Bao Zhai, but the worst of those warm palanquins was tin-green. The carriage was also covered with a black brocade curtain. With one look, one could tell that these guests were of extraordinary status, causing passersby to involuntarily cast sidelong glances. The carriage that he had rented seemed a lot more shabby in comparison. Yang Sichen smiled bitterly and shook his head. Liu Lan helped him out of the carriage.
Yang Sichen led the two maids into the backyard of Wan Bao Zhai.
The Third Shopkeeper of Wan Bao Zhai personally led him to a private room and sat down. However, the Third Shopkeeper's gaze was somewhat disdainful of the master and servant.
After the delicate-looking maidservant in bright clothes served the three of them refreshments, Yang Sichen asked Liu Lan to take out the wax mold from the box and carefully handed it to the third innkeeper. He asked,"Shopkeeper, can you help me see if your shop can cast a few small things with silver according to this? I still have a few of these items.”
The Third Manager took the wax mold and examined it for a long time before putting it down.""Young miss, this little one doesn't dare to guarantee. This little one will go find a master to tell young miss in detail.”
Yang Sichen smiled and nodded without saying anything. When the third manager saw this, he kept his expression and quickly left the private room.
After the time it took for an incense stick to burn, the Third Manager still hadn't returned. Yanhong was a little worried. She leaned over and whispered into Yang Sichen's ear,"Miss, will they deliberately refuse?”
Yang Sichen pretended to size up the furnishings in the room and quietly said,""Don't worry, the shopkeepers of the Wan Bao House are all very smart. I don't know how many people they've met. People like us who are here to ask them to help us make things are the most ordinary. If they encountered any party that wanted to tear down the white party, that would really give them a headache!”
Flowing Mist, who was standing on the other side, couldn't help but ask softly,""Miss, what is the White House?"
Only then did Yang Sichen realize that he had misspoken. He could only pretend that he had not heard anything and pointed at a set of porcelain screens on the opposite wall."This color is so soft and delicate. It looks like something from the official kiln of the Jingtai period.”
Their gazes were immediately drawn over. Liu Lan stood in front of the porcelain screen and examined it carefully."If it really was something from the Jingtai era, then it would be very expensive…It shouldn't be placed here, right?”Before he finished speaking, he heard the sound of porcelain shattering.
The three of them were shocked and their eyes fell on the set of porcelain screens.
Seeing the porcelain screen hanging there, the three of them looked at each other and actually heaved a sigh of relief at the same time. However, they were also curious about the source of the sound and could not help but listen carefully.
After a while, she heard the sound of sobbing.
"Isn't there a set of porcelain screens like this next door?" Yanhong asked in astonishment.”
"I won't!" Yang Sichen answered uncertainly, but his face turned to the servant girl standing by the door.
The little servant girl had a panicked expression on her face. When she saw Yang Sichen's gaze fall on her, she forced a smile.""Young Lady's judgment is really accurate. This was something from the Jingtai period. There was also a set of phoenixes hanging on the wall next door, but they were peonies.”
Yang Sichen and Yanhong looked at each other, and the servant girl looked like she was about to cry.
Yang Sichen thought to himself,'The one serving next door should be her little sister!'
Yang Sichen's heart softened when he saw the servant girl's anxious expression. He said,""Why don't you go over and take a look?"
The little servant girl smiled with tears in her eyes." No need. The shopkeeper has instructed us to mind our own business. We're not allowed to run around." Otherwise, this servant will be expelled from Wan Bao Zhai.”
Yang Sichen was startled. There was a reason why Wanbao Zhai could stand in Song Jiang for two hundred years.
Yang Sichen's heart was overflowing with sympathy as he comforted her,""Don't worry, the guests of Wan Bao Zhai are all very rich. I'm not afraid that they can't afford it.”
"You don't know, but this is the first time the young lady next door has come to Wanbao House." I'm afraid she'll think that Wan Bao Zhai is scamming her if we want her to pay!”
In other words, the person next door was a country bumpkin.
As the two of them were talking, a sharp shout came from next door."Are you trying to trick me? This porcelain screen is worth three thousand taels…You might as well go and rob it…Do you think I'm a vegetarian…"
Then, there was the sound of porcelain shattering. Yang Sichen and his servant looked at each other. What kind of person was this? He was simply brainless. Breaking one was not enough to compensate!
At this moment, the Third Manager came in with a withered old man. After the servant girl closed the door, the Third Manager cupped his hands at Yang Sichen and said,""Miss, this is a skilled craftsman. He is good at forging all kinds of small things with silver.”
Yang Sichen sized up the old man. He was slightly taller than himself, and his face was covered with wrinkles. His skin was dark, and he had a goatee. There was a layer of calluses on his hands, and the veins on his exposed arm were bulging. He was dressed in a short greenish-gray shirt and wore shoes made of coarse linen. It didn't seem too abrupt.
The senior craftsman cupped his hands at Yang Sichen and said,""Miss, if this old man didn't guess wrongly, this wax mold was just made a few hours ago?”
Yang Sichen was extremely surprised, but he still replied calmly,""Yes, the old man is right. This wax model was just made this morning. Because he was in a hurry to use it the day after tomorrow, he placed it in ice water for an hour after it was done. Then, he came to Gui Bao in the afternoon. Master, is there anything wrong with this wax mold?”
Craftsman Gao stroked his goatee and said with a smile,"Miss, this wax mold is excellent, but if it was cast with silver, it would probably weigh more than six taels, so it's not very convenient to wear it.”
Yang Sichen nodded and said," I'm here for this matter. I've also roughly estimated that it's too heavy. It might be very difficult for my servant girls to wear it, but I'm afraid that the wax mold is too thin and it will be difficult to cast it. Therefore, I want to ask the master to cut the surface a little thinner after casting it, and then carve some patterns on it to reduce the weight as much as possible."”
Craftsman Gao nodded." This wax mold can indeed be made thinner, but it needs a certain amount of tin to be added to the silver. It can be cast smoothly, and it's lighter than pure silver. However, the color of the cast object is a little dark, and it's not as beautiful as pure silver. If he cut off another layer after casting it and carved some patterns on the surface, it shouldn't weigh more than three taels of silver.”
Yang Sichen nodded and said," Just do as Master says. Does Master have a rough draft of the style of this mask?"”
"Of course," said Craftsman Gao."I've made it for the Marquis's wife before."”
"May I ask how long it will take to make this, Master?" Yang Sichen asked again.”
"Including the modification of the wax mold, I estimate that it will take about a day," replied Craftsman Gao.”
"This…I might not be able to come out tomorrow.”Yang Sichen said hesitantly.
The Third Manager thought for a while and said with a smile,""Miss, how about this? This one will write you a note. When you leave later, pay half of the silver. Tomorrow afternoon, let your servant girl bring this note and the other half of the silver to look for this one. This one will give it to your servant girl.”
Yang Sichen nodded. Just do as the shopkeeper says! Also, the things I make are for the people around me, so I don't want them to spread.”
The Third Manager nodded and said,"Don't worry, Miss. The Wan Bao Zhai will definitely not say a word."”
Yang Sichen was quite satisfied with the Third Shopkeeper's statement. He knew that the people who came and went to Wan Bao Zhai were either rich or noble, and confidentiality of customer information was one of the most basic professional operations of Wan Bao Zhai. It was also one of the fundamentals of Wan Bao Zhai's foothold in the upper circle of Song Jiang. Yang Sichen wasn't worried that the mask would spread. Even if it did, they wouldn't be able to trace it back to him.
Yang Sichen turned around and glanced at Liu Lan. He took the box from Yanhong's hands and handed it to the Third Manager.""I still want to pick a few pieces of gold jewelry for this servant girl as her dowry.”
The Third Manager smiled and said,"Miss, please wait a moment. I will go and get the jewelry for you to choose."”Then, he led Craftsman Gao out of the private room.
After a while, the people from Wan Bao Zhai brought in some new accessories for Yang Sichen to choose from. Yang Sichen took a fancy to a pair of gilded ruby lantern earrings at first glance. It was a round lantern made of silver and gilded with gold on the surface. Inside was a bright red gem the size of a grain of rice. Like a burning candle. The long tassels hanging from the bottom of the lantern were gorgeous in color. At first glance, Yang Sichen felt that it was very similar to Liu Lan's personality.
Yang Sichen also picked out a gold-plated coral bat hairpin, a gold-plated sparrow hairpin, a pair of gold-plated lily ruyi bracelets, and a four-butterfly gold-plated gold and silver buyao, all of which carried the meaning of longevity and happiness. He was prepared to give them all to Flowing Mist.
When the third innkeeper saw that Yang Sichen had chosen something, he personally took out a small box with red paint and gold engravings and packed it for him. "Miss, including the four masks, it's a total of forty-five taels."”
When Yang Sichen heard this, his heart ached a little, but he still calmly took out three ten-tael notes from his sleeve pocket and handed them to the third manager. He said,"I'll have to trouble the shopkeeper to write a note for me. I'll pay the rest of the silver tomorrow afternoon when I send a servant girl over to get the things.”
"Of course," the Third Manager said with a smile. I will go and prepare."
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]